It wasn’t thoughts of Walt Disney World and beaches floating through the minds of the Kia Toronto FC Academy U17 team as they boarded Air Canada flight 862 to Orlando, Florida.
It was thoughts of completing passes, scoring goals and returning to Toronto at the top of the Eastern Division of the 2015 Generation adidas Cup. Orlando, Florida was the host city to the second (of two) regional events for the Generation adidas Cup. The final standings after the two regional events determine qualification for the national event to take place over Easter weekend in Dallas, TX in April 2015. The top two teams of each group (East, Central, West) qualify for the Generation adidas (GA) bracket, a final group stage that will determine the overall winners of the 2015 GA Cup.
Toronto FC landed in Orlando in a good position. Having won both of their games in Philadelphia back in October 2014 (at the first Regional event), they were going into the tournament in first place in the Eastern division (with six points), on top of New York, Philadelphia, New England, Orlando SC and D.C. United.
Toronto FC’s first game was against the New York Red Bulls, and it proved to be a tough start to the tournament. Being down by two goals just twenty minutes in Kia Toronto FC Academy battled back. After getting one goal closer before half (2 -1), Toronto FC changed to a 3-4-3 formation for the last twenty minutes, which resulted in strong attack, and a sustained amount of pressure for the final twenty minutes. With five minutes left Toronto FC scored the tying goal from 40 yards out. They had dug their way, patiently and calmly, out of a 2-0 deficit, to tie the match at 2-2 after 90 minutes; eventually falling to New York on penalties. The New York Red Bulls walked away with two points and Toronto FC with one.
The second game against the Philadelphia Union was a different story. From attacking to defending and transitional play, Kia Toronto FC Academy had it all. After eighty minutes of disciplined play, a well-controlled backline, attacking brilliance and a saved penalty shot, the whistle blew and Toronto FC earned a well deserved 3-0 win and left the field with the full three points. The third and final game of the tournament was against host club, Orlando SC. A slow start to the match quickly turned into a very demanding game. It was a heart filled and composed effort for every player on the field and although the game often got physical, Kia Toronto FC Academy remained calm and controlled the tempo of the game.
Regulation time ended with the game tied at 2-2, and after eighteen penalty shooters the game ended with Orlando SC earning the victory and two points; while Toronto FC left with one. Kia Toronto FC Academy U17 team accomplished what they had set out to do. They finished number one in the east conference with 11 points, which advances them to the GA bracket at the final event in Dallas.
They had everything to be proud of, from the heart and determination that allowed them to come back from 2-0 deficit, to the disciplined free flowing football that lead to a 3-0 victory. The team will now recover and reflect on what they’ve learned and prepare for the National Event in Dallas. At the GA Cup, they will be joining the Philadelphia Union, FC Dallas, Sporting KC, San Jose Earthquakes, and Real Salt Lake, along with a number of International teams, where they will all fight to be the 2015 GA Cup Champions. For full GA standings and scores please click here.
